Addressing the anti-Woke

What does “woke” actually mean to people in today’s political context.  It seems to be used just as a shorthand for various things the MAGA right does not like.  If so, it doesn’t make much sense to get into definitions and semantics.  Except that it does make sense to try to get people—at least some people—to confront the difference between their actual values and the implications of using the “woke” term.


And another road bump:  as an Anglo, and with limited experience with the lives of black people, who am I to weigh in on this.  Where I live, surely this is an issue removed, an issue for discussion in communities more diverse, like in the metroplex.   The problem, even here, is this any term of derision that can be brought forward against democratic candidates, even our local ones, …any term will be used.  We need some basis to mount a rebuttal or at least to lessen any impact of that attack.


So, as churches play and have played such an important role in speaking about and living values, what do we see from churches?


There is a recent book by Eric Mason, “Woke Church: An Urgent Call for Christians in America to Confront Racism and Injustice”.  See: 


 https://denverjournal.denverseminary.edu/the-denver-journal-article/woke-church-an-urgent-call-for-christians-in-america-to-confront-racism-and-injustice/


https://founders.org/reviews/you-dont-need-to-be-woke-to-be-biblical-a-review-of-eric-masons-woke-church/     Through points of good critique, an exploration of the difference various segments of society have in understanding the term.


https://www.centerforbiblicalunity.com/post/5-signs-your-church-may-be-going-woke  The troubling use of the term “woke” by those accepting Critical Race Theory.  The post mainly highlights troubling acceptance of terms associated with Black Lives Matter and CRT from the pulpit.


https://www.afa.net/the-stand/culture/2024/02/is-your-church-woke/  Another troubling stand


    So, you try to wake your friend up to the conflict between religious teachings and disrespect of woke…and you get a blank stare.  He isn’t moved.  Remind him of the “First they came for the Socialists….  scenario.  (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/First_they_came_...).   
     Maybe he plays the “You say these black people deserve special consideration, but not us.  You call us ignorant rednecks for supporting Trump.  You diss me when you raise these others”.    
     A reply:  we fail if we disrespect you, but you don’t need to put others down to raise yourself (like Trump does).  So if we see you trying to hold blacks back, we bring blacks forward in our work.  But we are trying to raise wages for everybody, to provide for education for everybody, to help everybody get good health care.


    I am imagining a confrontation with someone you want to correct or someone who wants to correct you.  Some people are just parroting what they’ve heard on air or in posts and may not really understand the facets to the issue.  Perhaps the best approach is to just ask “What would be the opposite of woke?” or somesuch to have them decide this is not their real issue.  Some people may key on the racial basis, and that may be their touchstone.  You can’t expect to make headway against ingrained racism, but….  An imagined response to a racist who objects to your/our Wokeness:
     We hope you outgrow your racial bias, but until then remember:  You share the needs of black/brown/other people.  The same political/social group that is pressing for their uplift also works for your rise.  There is enough at the end of the rainbow for all to share.
DAB